The Impact of Digital Technology on Agricultural Production Efficiency in Sichuan Province

Ting Guo

doi:10.63313/EPP.9051

Authors

Ting Guo Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, 610500, China Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63313/EPP.9051

Keywords:

Digital Technology, Agricultural Production Efficiency, Data Envelopment Analysis, Malmquist Index, Sichuan Province

Abstract

This study evaluates agricultural production efficiency in 21 cities and prefectures of Sichuan Province and examines its relationship with digital technology. Output-oriented DEA-BCC/CCR models measure static efficiency, and the Malmquist index decomposes productivity change. A composite digital index covers infrastructure, digital-industry development, and digital financial inclusion. Mean comprehensive efficiency rose from 0.848 in 2011 to 0.966 in 2021. Mean total factor productivity for 2014-2021 was 1.0903 and was driven mainly by technical progress. In the controlled Tobit model, digital technology remained positively associated with production efficiency. The results support targeted investment in rural digital infrastructure, agricultural digital services, inclusive finance, and interregional coordination.

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